Sunday, October 30, 2005

We have our winners! Our thanks to everyone who entered, and be sure to enter our next contest, which will be Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often!Now for the winners - congratulations to Mike Smith, Gamer Girl, Nathaniel Engelsen, Dante Ojeda, Jake Dominguez, Leaper and Bob Brandon! Their winning entries will appear tomorrow, Halloween day!

October 30th, 2005

in 1650, the murderous cult that called itself The Society of Friends first gained its popular name of Quakers when founder George Fox told them that “the unbelievers will quake and tremble at our approach”.

in 1890, as the sun rises, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson leads condemned Mormon rebel Charles Brigman up the scaffold to be hung in Salt Lake City. Dozens of citizens have assembled to watch, and they are being kept back by federal soldiers. Just as the noose is being lowered over Brigman's neck, an expertly-fired shot sunders the rope and a small group of men break through the federal lines and hustle Brigman away. Jackson shoots Brigman in the back as he escapes, but is unsure if the shot is fatal.

in 1915, H.G. Wells opens his second Little Warriors role-playing convention, with a special scenario to be run by himself on Halloween night. Over 15,000 attendees flood the hall in London where the convention is being held, and even members of high society can't resist joining in. At this convention, the American company called Parker Brothers announces that they will be producing a role-playing game of their own based on the legends of King Arthur, called Knights & Castles. It sells like hotcakes at the convention.

in 1938, the Mercury Theater was interrupted by breaking news from New Jersey of an invasion from Mars. After the hideous takeover of our government, the news program was passed off as a “hoax” by radio actor Orson Welles; the truth wasn’t revealed until decades later, when the Red Planet’s influence was finally eradicated from our government.

in 1953, President Eisenhower approves National Security Council Action 162/4, which formally grants the power to [CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED], thus ending American democracy.

in 1958, after convincing the Soviet government to allow him to travel to Sweden for the Nobel Prize Awards so that he could refuse his, Arthur Miller officially requested political asylum from the Swedish government. In his request, he denounced the state of free speech within the Soviet States of America, and likened the influence of America to “an iron curtain that has descended across all of North America, squelching artistic and political expression in subservience to the state.” Needless to say, Comrade President Joel Rosenberg lost no time denouncing Miller as a reactionary counter-revolutionary, no friend of the common people.

in 1975, King Juan Carlos begins his formal reign as ruler of Spain. True to his word to former dictator Francisco Franco, he maintains the fascist government, ignoring the entreaties of other governments and exiled Spaniards to transition Spain to a more democratic society.

in 1995, the Canadian province of Quebec overwhelmingly approves a referendum on secession from Canada. When the rest of Canada refused to let it secede, it closed its borders and began shooting Canadian troops sent in to restore it to the bosom of Canada. The short-lived civil war ended in 1998, when Canada finally subdued the rebel province.

in 2001, President Al Gore threw out the 1st pitch at game 3 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Republicans denounced his action roundly; as trivial showboating when America was at war with terrorism; as dangerous to the nation, since he didn’t wear a bullet-proof vest while on the mound; and as wimpy, since his pitch didn’t strike out the batter. Just as he had during his campaign, President Gore laughed off the Republican complaints; a winning strategy - he seems to be on his way to reelection.

in 2002, safely back in their stolen vessels, Dr. Courtney, Professor Thomas and their Air Force escort find themselves being approached by dozens of ships. They take off in a hurry, and advise the pilots in the other craft to stop for nothing. “We have to get back to earth with this,” Dr. Courtney says of the globe they have stolen. The desperate humans begin a prolonged chase through the Pleiades to escape from the aliens.

We still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link not working for now - Forum has been hacked! We're working on getting it back, and will let you know once it's back up.Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

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